Sharjah Mainland Company Formation
Set up your Sharjah Mainland LLC through SEDD with 100% foreign ownership and full UAE market access. Lower setup costs than Dubai, operate anywhere in the UAE without free zone restrictions.
Description
Sharjah Mainland Company Formation gives you a Limited Liability Company (LLC) licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) — Sharjah's equivalent of Dubai's DET. A Sharjah mainland LLC can operate anywhere in the UAE, sell directly to UAE customers, bid for government contracts, and open offices across all emirates, while benefiting from setup and operating costs that are typically lower than Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Following Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, 100% foreign ownership is available for most mainland activities with no UAE national partner required.
Sharjah's value proposition is cost efficiency — office rents, government fees, and operational costs are generally more competitive than Dubai, offering lower barriers to entry and higher margins. A Sharjah mainland LLC supports Commercial, Professional, and Industrial activities, unlimited visa quotas tied to office size (approximately 1 visa per 100 sq ft), full access to corporate banking, and strong commercial credibility. Sharjah is also a UNESCO-recognised cultural capital and a major manufacturing, logistics, and education hub.
Octavon Global Advisory handles the complete Sharjah mainland setup — SEDD initial approval, trade name reservation, MOA drafting and notarisation, Ejari registration, trade license issuance, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce membership, Establishment Card, immigration card, investor visa, medical fitness, Emirates ID, and corporate bank account introduction. Standard setup completes in 7 to 14 working days from document submission.
What's Included
- SEDD Trade License (Mainland LLC)
- 100% Foreign Ownership
- Operate Across the UAE
- Lower Cost Than Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) Drafting
- MOA Notarisation
- Trade Name Reservation
- SEDD Initial Approval
- Ejari Tenancy Registration
- Sharjah Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor Visa (1 included)
- Medical Fitness Test and Emirates ID
- Corporate Bank Account Introduction
- Free UAE Corporate Tax Consultation
- VAT Registration Coordination (if required)
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Minimum 1 shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Trade name following SEDD naming rules
- Activity from SEDD-approved list
- Physical office with valid Ejari tenancy contract
- Activity-specific NOC (for regulated activities)
- Shareholder passport with 6+ months validity
- NOC from current sponsor if applicant is on UAE residence visa
Required Documents
- Passport Copy of All Shareholders (6+ months validity)
- Passport-sized Photographs (white background)
- UAE Visa Copy and Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- NOC from Current Sponsor (if applicable)
- 3 Proposed Trade Name Choices
- Activity Selection List
- Office Lease Agreement / Ejari
- Power of Attorney (if signed remotely)
- For corporate shareholder: attested parent company documents
- For corporate shareholder: Board Resolution
Our Process
- Consultation on activity and license type selection
- Trade name reservation with SEDD
- SEDD initial approval submission
- Office tenancy contract and Ejari registration
- MOA drafting and notarisation
- Activity-specific NOC (if regulated)
- Final trade license application and payment
- Trade license collection
- Sharjah Chamber of Commerce membership
- Establishment Card and Immigration Card
- Investor visa, medical, and Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account opening
Pricing
- Basic Fee: AED 14,000
- Service Fee: AED 4,000
- VAT (5%): AED 900
- Total: AED 18,900
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a UAE national partner for a Sharjah mainland LLC?
No, not for most activities. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 removed the local partner requirement for most mainland activities in Sharjah. You can hold 100% ownership as a foreign investor. A few regulated activities may still require Emirati participation — confirm on the SEDD activity list.
How is Sharjah mainland cheaper than Dubai?
Sharjah's government fees, office rents, and operational costs are generally 1.5 to 2 times lower than equivalent Dubai mainland setups. For businesses that do not specifically need a Dubai address, Sharjah offers the same UAE-wide market access at a meaningfully lower cost base.
Can a Sharjah mainland LLC operate in Dubai and other emirates?
Yes. Like all UAE mainland licenses, a Sharjah SEDD LLC can operate across all 7 emirates, sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE, take on government contracts, and open branches in other emirates including Dubai.
How long does Sharjah mainland company formation take?
Standard setup completes in 7 to 14 working days. Sharjah's SEDD is efficient, and eligible office-based activities can use the Instant License for same-day issuance. Regulated activities requiring ministry approvals take longer.
How many visas can I get with a Sharjah mainland LLC?
Visa quota is tied to office size — approximately 1 visa per 100 square feet of office space. A small office supports several visas, and larger offices support more. There is no artificial cap beyond the space-based formula.
What activities can I do under a Sharjah mainland license?
SEDD offers Commercial (trading), Professional (services and consulting), and Industrial (manufacturing) categories covering thousands of activities. You can combine multiple related activities under one license. Some activities require additional NOCs from relevant authorities.
Is a Sharjah mainland LLC subject to UAE Corporate Tax?
Yes. All UAE businesses fall under the federal Corporate Tax regime — 0% on the first AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above. Corporate Tax registration is required and we provide free consultation as part of setup.